I picked these three because they show how varied New Zealand is, from the beaches to the mountains. We drove to all three during our working holiday year.
1. Mahinepua Peninsula Track: my favourite coastal walk
DOC has closed the Mahinepua Peninsula Track after a slip, and the closure notice has been up since January 2026 with no reopening date yet. Please don't walk it while it's closed: check the DOC track page before you go, and I'll update this guide when it reopens.
This is my favourite coastal walk in New Zealand, and it isn't touristy at all. The track follows the ridge of a small peninsula in the Whangaroa area of Northland, with golden beaches and turquoise bays below you. We walked it on a sunny afternoon in August, which is winter there.
It's 3 km each way, so allow about an hour there and an hour back on the same track. There are around 200 steps, built to protect the Māori pā sites on the peninsula. About three-quarters of the way along, a short loop gives you views of the Cavalli Islands and the Cape Brett peninsula.
Getting there: the peninsula is about 40 minutes' drive north of Kerikeri. Park at the eastern end of Mahinepua Beach, then cross the stile and follow the markers up the farm track. Parking was easy when we went.
Pack your bathers and a towel, because there are spots along the way where you can get down to the sea for a swim.
2. Roys Peak: the hardest one, and the biggest view
Roys Peak Track closes every year from 1 October to 10 November for lambing, because it crosses farmland. It reopens on 11 November, and during the closure, DOC suggests the nearby Isthmus Peak Track instead.
Roys Peak is the longest and hardest of the three, and it has the view everyone knows: Lake Wānaka and its islands, with mountains all around. We went all the way to the summit, and it was hard work: we stopped for a few breaks on the way up.
The famous photo spot is about 30 minutes before the summit. I think there was a queue for it, but we didn't join it, and there are so many spectacular views all around anyway.
The track is 16 km return and takes 5 to 6 hours, zig-zagging steeply up through farmland and then tussock as it climbs more than 1,200 metres to the summit at 1,578 metres. There's no shade and no water on the way, so bring plenty of water, food and sun protection.
Getting there: the car park is on the Wānaka–Mount Aspiring Road, about 6 km from Wānaka. Parking is free, although DOC says it gets very busy. Roys Peak is so close to Wānaka, one of the main places people stay in the south, that it's easy to fit into a trip.
3. Hooker Valley Track: Aoraki/Mount Cook up close
The Hooker Valley Track is much easier than Roys Peak, and Aoraki/Mount Cook is right in front of you for much of the walk. I loved the swing bridges, although the wind can make it feel colder.
You'll see lots of families with kids and older walkers on it too. It does get quite busy, but the views make up for it. It's also a drive in itself: you go to Aoraki/Mount Cook especially for this walk, along the shore of Lake Pukaki.
It's 10 km return and takes about 3 hours on gravel with some steps, crossing three swing bridges before it ends at Hooker Lake, where icebergs float in summer. One thing has changed since I was there: the second swing bridge is brand new. It opened in July 2026 and, at 189 metres, it's the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand. On the first bridge, there's a limit of 20 people at a time.
Getting there: White Horse Hill car park is at the end of Hooker Valley Road, 5 minutes from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. Parking costs NZ$2.50 per half hour or NZ$25 a day, paid by card when you arrive (it's free if you leave within 20 minutes), and there are toilets at the start and about 15 minutes after the second bridge.
We also stopped for ice cream at a lavender farm a few kilometres out, and yes, the lavender one really was purple.
Which New Zealand hike should you do if you only have time for one?
It depends how much time you have. Roys Peak is right by Wānaka, so it's easy to fit in if you're fit. The Hooker Valley Track, on the other hand, is a drive in itself, but it's an easy walk that suits families. And if you're in the north and DOC has reopened it, Mahinepua is my favourite: quiet, with bays to swim in and none of the crowds.
My tips for all three
- Start early, so you have more time to enjoy the views and to stop for breaks.
- Bring lots of water and some food, especially for Roys Peak, which is the longest and hardest of the three and has no water on the track.
- Pack bathers and a towel for Mahinepua, so you can go for a swim on the way.
- Check the DOC page on the day, because tracks close for slips, lambing and bad weather.
- Parking was easy at all three when we went. Roys Peak and Hooker Valley have big car parks because they're the popular ones, and while Roys Peak's is free, White Horse Hill at Hooker Valley now charges.
Do you need an NZeTA to visit New Zealand?
Most visitors do. If your passport is from a visa waiver country, you need an NZeTA before you fly: it costs from NZ$17, lasts 2 years, and Immigration New Zealand says to allow 72 hours for it. Most visitors also pay the NZ$100 tourist levy (the IVL) when they request it.
Some passports need a visitor visa instead, so it's worth checking your passport's rules for New Zealand, or all the travel permits in one table. I was there on a one-year working holiday visa, which is a different thing again: it lets you work while you travel.
Planning the rest of your New Zealand trip
These are the things I'd sort before a hiking trip like this. They're paid links: if you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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A rental car
We drove to all three hikes, and a car makes a trip like this much easier. Compare prices before you pick one up.
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Mobile data from the moment you land
Handy for maps, and for checking DOC track alerts on the road.
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Flights to New Zealand
Compare prices across airlines before you book.
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Travel insurance
If you're planning to hike, check what the policy covers before you buy.
AdEKTA
Start early, take lots of water, and don't forget the bathers. Safe travels!
Questions people ask
Which New Zealand hike should I do if I only have time for one?
It depends how much time you have. Roys Peak is right by Wānaka, so it's easy to fit in if you're fit. The Hooker Valley Track, on the other hand, is a drive in itself, but it's an easy walk that suits families. If you're in the north and DOC has reopened it, the Mahinepua Peninsula Track is my favourite.
How long does the Roys Peak Track take?
DOC says 5 to 6 hours return for the 16 km track, which climbs more than 1,200 metres to the summit at 1,578 metres. We stopped for a few breaks on the way up.
When is Roys Peak closed?
Every year from 1 October to 10 November, for lambing, because the track crosses farmland. It reopens on 11 November, and during the closure DOC suggests Isthmus Peak Track as an alternative.
Is the Hooker Valley Track easy?
Yes. DOC grades it easy to intermediate: it's 10 km return and takes about 3 hours on gravel with some steps and three swing bridges, and you'll see families with kids and older walkers on it.
Is the Mahinepua Peninsula Track open?
No. DOC closed it after a slip, and the notice has been up since January 2026 with no reopening date yet, so check the DOC track page before you go.
Do you have to pay for parking at the Hooker Valley Track?
Yes. The White Horse Hill car park costs NZ$2.50 per half hour or NZ$25 a day, paid by card when you arrive, and it's free if you leave within 20 minutes. Parking at Roys Peak is free.
Do I need an NZeTA for New Zealand?
Most visitors do. It costs from NZ$17 and lasts 2 years. Most visitors also pay the NZ$100 tourist levy (IVL) with it. Some passports need a visitor visa instead: check your passport's rules.
Sources
- DOC: Mahinepua Peninsula Track (with the closure notice)
- DOC: Roys Peak Track
- DOC: Hooker Valley Track
- Immigration New Zealand: NZeTA
- Immigration New Zealand: visa costs and the IVL
We checked these facts against the sources above on 4 Oct 2026. Rules change, so we'll check them again by 4 Nov 2026. Spotted something out of date? Write to stamppath@outlook.com.
